My Homeless Stray

Under the cover of darkness
He slinks from the woods
Before sunrise, after sunset

Checking his options as he advances
Knowing where he will run
if
The unexpected occurs

Watching him from behind my curtains
He approaches his feeding dishes
He is so un trusting
What wrong could our kind
Have done to make him so fearful
So apprehensive

He devours his food
Searching behind and in front of him
Always watchful

As quickly as he appears he vanishes

This is our relationship
His terms
I've come to grips with it
His understanding of how things should be

but

I still wish and hope one day
To scoop him up in my arms
Create a haven of safety
Show him love
teach him to love back

For now I will have to be content
To watch my shy visitor
From behind my curtains

This poor homeless cat
My stray